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From: mhg@wjh12.UUCP (Goldstein)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: Re: How to turn a Saab?
Message-ID: <606@wjh12.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 11-Jun-85 19:29:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: wjh12.606
Posted: Tue Jun 11 19:29:44 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Jun-85 06:17:40 EDT
References: <599@hou2e.UUCP>
Organization: Psychology & Social Relations Dept., Harvard Univ.
Lines: 41

> >>How do you perform comparable tasks with an understeering, front-wheel
> >>drive car, such as the Saab?  What's the best technique for taking the
> >>car around various types of turns?
> >
> >As a general rule, with the caveat that all rules have exceptions, with a
> >FWD car letting up a bit on the gas when you are in trouble will get you
> >out of trouble.  I guess that is why beginning drivers find them
> >user-friendly.
> 
> Hmmm.  I'm not sure about *your* fwd car, but with mine, the general rule
> is to accelerate your way out of trouble.  There have been many times when
> I've used full right foot to pull my way through a turn.  FWD cars are
> especially fun in the rain (or snow?); when going around a curve, if you
> start to slide, hit the gas and steer into the curve.  A problem with
> this:  once you begin to slide and decide to accelerate through the curve
> to stop the slide, you are committed to accelerating through the curve.
> You are using the engine's power to hold your car in it's line, and if
> it's a long curve, you can run out of power or reach the "point of
> no return" (the speed at which if you go any faster, the car will break loose
> from the curve; but you *must* accelerate to stay in the curve; so no matter
> what, you crash and get hurt).  However, on normal public roads, it's pretty
> difficult to approach these limits.  On a race track it's easy to, and this
> is a major reason why there are no fwd race cars even though they are 
> theoretically faster through a turn.
> 
> Dan Masi

I'm glad I don't drive near any of you:

first:  Saab hand brakes operate on the FRONT wheels. An attempt
to use the handbrake method will get you in BIG trouble, especially if
you manage to lock the wheels.  If your in a turn and its slippery,
goodbye.

Second:  accelarating is definately the WRONG thing to do if your
sliding wide in a turn - you have lost traction up front. accelerating
will make the tires totally loose their grip and you will continue
to slide in your current direction (probaly off the road). GET OFF
the gas and let the tires regain traction.

- I should know - I've spun a few saabs in the snow!